Page 2 of Feathers and Thorns
“It’s karma,” Baz replied.
Enara’s eyebrows pressed together in confusion. “What do you mean? What did we do to piss off Mother Nature?”
“Well, the Oculus holds the power of all creation, so it stands to reason that, if used, it could upset the balance of things,” he replied simply. “Messing with it at all was sure to have some consequences.”
“I mean, I think you’re right,” Enara said, huffing in annoyance. “I just wish the powers-that-be knew we were the good guys.”
“Good guys always finish last,” Jai said as they reached the ridge and peered over.
Enara and Baz shared a look that meant they would ask him to explain that statement later. Then they joined him to take in the view below.
At the base of the valley, they could see a manor house. The grey stones were stacked neatly in a U-shape, surrounded by walking paths that met near the back of the house and opened up into a large courtyard. The lake below looked like a shattered mirror, jagged chunks of ice floating this way and that. It had undoubtedly been disturbed by Mother Nature’s wrath. It was still too far to make out too many details, but they could see black things moving by the entranceways—no doubt kestrels guarding their master.
Jai grimaced. “There’s no way down from here. It’s too steep. We’re going to have to head down near our last camp and take the entrance to the valley.”
“Every time we get closer, it’s another step back,” Enara said, frustration filling her voice.
“We’ve got this,” Baz reassured her. “That’s an evil fortress if I ever saw one. Castle, check. Evil minions, check. Isolated, check. There’s no way Soren isn’t in there.”
“Yeah,” she sighed. “I guess you’re right. So, what is the plan, then? We can’t stay up here. If they fly any higher, they will see us.”
“Then we hide in plain sight,” Jai replied.
They pushed back down toward the valley entrance and formed a makeshift igloo by digging into the mountainside. They used the shelter to stay out of view and settled in as the sun began to set behind the largest peak.
“I don’t like the idea of sleeping in here,” Enara said, looking around at their hovel, shivering.
“It’s not ideal, but it will keep us from being spotted,” Jai replied, giving her a sympathetic look. He understood the fear ebbing below the surface of her skin. This morning, the mountain had almost become her tomb. “Try to get some rest. I imagine tomorrow will be more physically demanding than any of us would like.”
He was being nice. They all knew what tomorrow would bring. They would have to battle the kestrels again, and Enara couldn’t help but worry for her small group. Their supplies were low, and they couldn’t risk a fatal injury here—they would never make it down the mountain in time to get to a healer.
She blinked the unshed tears from her eyes as Baz snaked his arm around her middle, pulling her to him. She forced the negative thoughts from her mind in an attempt to get some sleep.
“Goodnight, beautiful,” Baz said softy.
“Goodnight,” she whispered.
* * *
They woke up to find dawn fighting with the mountain’s shadows and peeked out from their shelter, scanning the white landscape for black feathers. Finding none, they loosed sighs of relief and began the trek down into the valley. Their pace quickened with determination to get their friend home.
“Man, I don’t know how you do it,” Baz said, directing the statement at Jai.
“Do what?” the tracker asked.
“Risk your life to find other people’s treasures. It hardly seems like the payout is worth it.”
“Some things are worth more than others.”
“But seriously,” Enara cut in, “this isn’t going to be like fighting off some bandits hoarding gemstones. There is a good chance one of us will not make it out of here today.”
Jai gave a noncommittal shrug. “Then, so be it.”
“Just ready to die, huh?” Baz asked, patting Jai’s back.
“No, I’m ready to live,” Jai said, eyes sparkling, “Without Adaryn, I felt I had no purpose. I became a lowlife, a cheat, bound to roam the underground for the rest of my days if Patrivah’s alliance with Xian-Dao went well. Now, I can at least feel like I did something for the world before I go. I don’t want to go back to a life of shadows. So, like it or not, I am with you until this is finished.”
“Hey”—Baz smiled—“if you’re willing to die on this hill, then so am I.”